Montour High School’s Thomas J. Birko Memorial Stadium: A field of dreams

Over the past 40 years, countless sporting events have occurred at Montour High School’s Thomas J. Birko Memorial Stadium, but just who was the stadium’s namesake?

Born in Groveton in 1923, Birko served in World War II in the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945. After his discharge, he returned home and began a memorable 36-year career at Robinson High School and later Montour High School.

Birko was the much-loved baseball coach from 1951 through 1982, served as athletic director for 30 years, taught history, health, and driver education, and was adviser to the Varsity M Club.

Tragically, Birko died in 1984 at age 61 of heart disease, leaving behind his wife, a son, and four daughters. In 1985, the high school field became the Thomas J. Birko Memorial Stadium, honoring him as a beloved educator and coach.

John Petro, Montour High School Class of 1963, remembers him with fondness.

“He would drive me home every day after practice, so I got to know him pretty well,” Petro said. “I played for Coach Birko from ‘60-‘63. He was such a nice man, never lost his temper. He and Coach (Bob) Phillips were role models for me.

“Great teachers at Montour!”

Birko Stadium paved the way for many significant achievements in Montour sports history. Here are just a few:

Football

• 2004: Class 3A WPIAL Champions.
• 2006: Class 3A Section Champions
• 2022: In the first round of the playoffs, a 99-yard drive with just seconds on the clock led to a 34-33 Montour win over Hampton in Class 4A. It was the first playoff win at Birko Stadium in years.

Soccer

• 2014: Girls Class 3A WPIAL Runners-up.
• 2017: Boys Class 3A WPIAL Runners-up.

Track & Field

• PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) competitions resulted in many Individual and Section titles.

The following tribute appeared in the 1985 Montour Mirror yearbook: “Mr. Birko was the first Athletic Director our school district had had and so it fell to him to organize and shape our various athletic teams into the comprehensive, competitive program that it is now.” Indeed, Coach Birko‘s legacy lives on.

Birko Stadium isn’t just where memories happen, it’s where dreams take flight.

The first opportunity for that to happen this season for the Montour Spartans football team will occur Friday, Aug. 29, when Moon Area visits for a 7 p.m. matchup.